Window fixture



Jan. 25, 1938. G. E. ALPHIN WINDOW FIXTURE Filed Jan. 14, 1957 Eril...

l. W Y v. L

Patented Jan. 25, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

The invention relates to window fixtures of the general type disclosed in my U. S. Patent No. 1,345,340 of July 6, 1920, for Supporting shade rollers, curtain rods and drapery rods, and one object of the invention is to generally improve upon and simplify the prior construction, providing a superior article at less cost.

Another object is to provide certain standard end and intermediate units of novel construction which may be easily related with each other in such manner as to readily adapt the fixture for use on single, twin, triple, and double-twin windows. For a single window, two end units are employed, both held in engagement with the window frame by ai? single tension spring. For twin, triple or double-twin windows, one or more intermediate units are used between two of the end units, and two or more tension springs are employed to connect the units with each other. Each intermediate unit is att-ached to the frame by a single fastener and the pull of the tension springs prevents it from turning about said fastener.

Each end unit and each intermediate unit includes a horizontally elongated strip and a bracket slidably adjustable on said strip, and a further object is to provide a novel construction whereby the bracket and the means for mounting it on the strip, are held in properly assembled relation without the use of rivets, welding or the like.

For a twin, triple or double-twin window, it is often desirable to make use of one long drapery supporting rod instead of using a plurality of short rods, and a still further object of the invention is to provide novel spring arms on each intermediate unit for effectively supporting the adjacent portion of said long rod. In carrying out this end, yet another aim is to provide a novel structure in which the single fastener used for -attaching the intermediate unit to the frame also secures the aforesaid spring arms in proper position.

With the foregoing and minor objects in view,

the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawing.

Fig. l is a horizontal sectional view through a twin window showing the invention attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a face view of the parts shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view partly in elevation showing the intermediate unit illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on line 4 4 of Fig. 2 showing the manner in which the spring arms are engaged with the usual inturned iianges of a conventional channeled rod.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the spring 5 ,arms and their attaching plate, and a portion of the rod engaged with said arms.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 2 showing the construction of one of the slidably adjustable brackets with which the `l0 end and intermediate units are provided.

Fig. '7 is a View similar to Fig. 3 but showing one of the end units.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the slid-.m ably adjustable brackets. '15

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the outer end of the horizontal strip of one of the end units.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the invention upon a triple window.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing 20 the invention upon a single window.

'Fig l2 is a detail horizontal sectional view showing the manner in which the strips of the end units may be engaged with driven fasteners instead of hooked into the edges of the window- 25 frame.

The end units above referred to are indicated at E, and the intermediate units at I. Two of the end units E are always used and if the invention is to be engaged with a single window as 30 shown in Fig. 11, no intermediate unit is employed. For a twin window, one intermediate unit I is used as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; for a triple window, two of said units I are employed, and it will be obvious that three of them will 35 be required for a double-twin window. Regardless of the units which may be employed, they are connected by spring means which exerts an inward pull to hold the end sections E engaged with the frame, said spring means also serving, 40 if one or more intermediate units I be employed, to hold the same against tilting upon the fastener I3.

Each end unit E includes one bracket B for supporting one end of a shade roller R, one end 45 of a curtain rod C and one end of a conventional channeled drapery rod D. Each intermediate unit I includes two brackets B which are identical with those rst mentioned, and associated also with each intermediate section I, are two arms -50 i4 to engage an intermediate portion of the drapery rod D, as seen most clearly in Figs. 4

and 5.

Each end unit E includes a flat horizontal strip l5 cut and bent at its outer end to providevtwo` 55 sharp hooks I6 to hook into the edge of the window frame as shown in Figs. 1, '1, 10 and 11, and a notch I1 between said hooks to hook over the head of a screw or other fastener I8 (Fig. 12) if it be preferable to provide the frame with such fasteners instead of having the hooks I6 penetrate the edges of said frame. The inner end of each strip I5 is given a return bend I9 so positioned that it cannot injure the rolled window shade, said return bend being formed with an opening. 20 through which one of the springs 2|, used in connecting the units of the device, passes. The strip I5 is provided also with suitable openings 22 into any of which the end of the spring 2| may be hooked as seen in Fig. 7, according to the width of the window and the required spring tension.

Each intermediate unit I includes a flat horizontal strip 23 having acentral opening through which the screw or other fastener I3 passes, the end portions of said strip 23 being formed with suitable openings 24 into which the inner ends of the springs 2| may be hooked, as seen in Fig. 3. It will thus be seen that the tension of the springs holds the strips I5 of the end units E engaged with the frame and also holds the strip 23 of each intermediate unit I, against tilting upon the fastener I3.

Each of the brackets B comprises a long arm 25, a short arm 26, and a flat vertical supporting plate 21 integral with said arms, said plate and arms being formed by suitably bending a suitable strip of metal. The long arms 25 are appropriately apertured to support the shade roller R and the curtain rod C. The short arms 26 of the brackets of the end units E are readily engageable with the usual curved ends of the drapery rod D, and if a plurality of short rods be preferred instead of one long rod, the inner ends of said rods may be engaged with the short arms 26 of the brackets B included inthe intermediate unit or units I.

A flat attaching sleeve 28 is provided for mounting the bracket B upon the strip I5 or 23, said sleevebeing provided with one vertical side wall 29 extending between the arms 25 and 26 and lying against the plate 21, being provided with another vertical side wall 30 which lies against the strip I5 or 23, and being provided with upper and lower edge walls 3| and 32 which engage the upper and lower edges respectively of the plate 21 and the strip (I5 or 23). By associating the sleeve 28 with the plate 21 and arms 25, 26 in the manner shown, the parts will remain in properly assembled relation prior to mounting the sleeve 28 upon its carrying strip or if said sleeve should be removed, for instance, accidentally when adjusting the device to the window.

The spring arms I4 are connected with and carried by a vertical plate 33 having an opening 34 through which the fastener I3 passes, the same fastener therefore serving to mount said arms I4 and the strip 23. The opening 34 is preferably in the form of a notch as shown in Fig. 5 to facilitate application and removal of the plate 33 and arms I4. The strip 23 passes between these arms I4 and lies against the plate 33, the edges of said strip 23 being in contact with said arms I4. Thus, since the springs hold the strip 23 against tilting upon the fastener I3, the arms I4 will also be held against such tilting. The outer ends of these arms are provided with oppositely projecting hooks 35 to engage the usual inturned iianges of the conventional channeled rod D, as shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, the hooks 35 being preferably .farmed bv simply bending the ends of the arms From the foregoing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that a simple, inexpensive and advantageous construction has been provided for carrying out the objects of the invention, and while preferred details have been shown, attention is invited to the fact that numerous variations may be made within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A window fixture comprising a horizontally elongated bracket-carrying strip having a central opening, a plate lying'against the central portion of said strip and having an opening alined with the aforesaid opening, one screw or nail driven through both of said openings into a window frame Vand constituting the sole means for attaching'both said strip and said plate to said window frame, and an arm projecting from said plate to support an intermediate portion of a rod.

2'. A window fixture comprising a vertical plate, upper and lower spring arms projecting in the same direction from said platel to engage an intermediate portion of a rod, and a horizontally elongated bracket-carrying strip extending between said arms and contacting with said plate, said strip and plate having alined openings, and one nail or screw driven through said alined openings into a window frame and constituting the sole means for securing both the strip and the plate to said window frame.

3. A structure asspeoied in claim 2; the end portions of said strip having openings for engagement with stabilizing means to prevent turning of said strip upon said screw or nail, said upper and lower arms being in contact with the upper and lower edges of said strip respectively to hold said arms and said `plate against turning with respect to said strip.

4. A window fixture comprising a member for attachment to a window frame, upper and lower spring arms projecting in the same direction from said member, the free ends lof 4said upper and lower arms having hooks projecting upwardly and downwardly respectively, and a flat curtain rod at the outer ends of said arms, said rod having a downwardly bent flange at its upper edge and an ,upwardly bent flange at its lower edge, said flanges being substantially parallel with the body portion of said rod, said upwardly and downwardly projecting hooks being disposed between said body portion of said rod and said downwardly and upwardly bent flanges.

5. A window fixture comprising a member for attachment to a window frame, upper and lower spring arms of flat form projecting in the same direction from said member, the free ends of said upper and lower flat arms being bent upwardly and downwardly respectively on straight transverse lines to provide an upwardly and a downwardly projecting hook in substantially vertical planes, and a flat curtain rod at the outer ends of said arms, said rod having a downwardly bent flange at its upper edge and an upwardly bent flange at its lower edge, said flanges being substantially parallel with the body portion of said rod, said upwardly and downwardly projecting hooks being disposed between said body portion of said rod and said downwardly and upwardly bent flanges.

6. A window xture comprising a single iiat strip of metal bent upon transverse lines to provide a central vertical plate and upper and lower fiat spring arms projecting in the same direction from said plate, said plate having a fastener-receiving opening, the frleendspfA said upper and lower arx'ns being bent upwardly and downwardly respectively on straight transverse lines to provide an upwardly and a downwardly projecting hook in substantial vertical planes, and a flat ourtain rod at the outer ends of said arms, said rod having a downwardly bent ange at its upper edge and an upwardly bent ange at its lower edge, said flanges being substantially parallel with the body portion of said rod, said upwardly and downwardly projecting hooks being disposed between said body portion of said rod and said downwardly and upwardly bent flanges.

7. A window xture comprising a horizontal strip for attachment to a window frame, a bracket having a plate lying against said strip, said strip and plate being of the same vertical width, said plate having horizontally spaced arms projecting in the saine direction therefrom, and a flat sleeve embracing said plate and strip and mounting the former slidably upon the latter, said sleeve having side walls lying against said plate and strip respectively and upper and lower edge walls abutting the upper and lower edges respectively of said plate and strip.

8. A window fixture comprising a at horizontal strip for attachment to a window frame, a flat vertical plate lying against one side of said ilat strip, said strip and plate being of the same vertical width, at horizontally spaced parallel arms projecting in the same direction from said plate, and a flat sleeve embracing said plate and said strip to slidably mount the former on the latter, said sleeve having one vertical side wall lying against said plate between said arms and abutting said arms, a second vertical side wall lying against said strip, and upper and lower edge walls abutting the upper and lower edges respectively of said strip and plate.

9. In a window iixture, an attaching bracket including a lat metal strip having a row of openings into any one of which a coil spring may be hooked, one end of said strip being bent at right angles and formed with an opening through which to pass said spring, said bent end having its extremity bent at right angles toward the other end of the strip and disposed parallel with the plane of the body of the strip to prevent it from injuring an adjacent window shade, and hook means at the other end of the strip for engaging a window frame.

GILBERT E. ALPHIN. 

